Socio-Political Participation and Consolidation of Society in Russian Multi-Ethnic Regions

This article analyzes social and political participation in the context of consolidation of Russian society. The empirical base of the article is formed by results of representative surveys in the five multi-ethnic regions of the Russian Federation (Astrakhan Region, Kaliningrad Region, Moscow, Moscow Region, Stavropol Region), as well as expert interviews. The article shows that in fact the only political activity is still electoral activity, reaching a maximum in presidential elections. In this regard, Moscow clearly stands out from low electoral activity and regions with usually higher, but traditional electoral activity.The structure of the request for the image of a desired social order in the regions of the study is the same - an overwhelming majority of the population in each region demands equality of all before the law and ensuring order and stability in society. With such high expectations of equality before the law, the solution to problems and difficulties in the lives of most people is seen as passively expecting the best. In comparison with this situation, orientation on elections as a way out is weak, but orientation toward protest action is low in all regions. In the sphere of values correlated with socio-political participation, an attitude of solidarity is observed by region, by educational groups, and by age. The vast majority of research in the regions shows that Russia is a special country, and western rules of life are not suited to it. In the regions studied, consolidation elements are noticeable in social and political participation and values, but this consolidation is based on the orientation to one’s own survival in a crisis, a passive expectation of improvements and low activity, not only politically, but also socially.